Fire at my Sister's House
@DeborahDiane (40055)
Laguna Woods, California
February 15, 2020 4:19pm CST
A few days ago, my sister was awakened at 4:00 in the morning with her smoke alarms going off. The bedroom where she and her husband sleep is in the one-story wing on the right side of the house. (See the picture, above). My father's apartment is upstairs, above the arched driveway and the four car garage on the left side of the house.
My sister ran through her smoke-filled house, woke our Dad who was sleeping through the alarm, and led him outside, while her husband grabbed the dog and their cell phones. They were all barefoot and the ground was covered in snow.
Their 11-year old furnace in the basement had caught on fire, causing smoke damage throughout the house. The firemen did not want her to go back into the house, but allowed her to enter the laundry room and grab a laundry basket full of their dirty clothing, to take with them. My sister, her husband and my dad had to go to a hotel in their pajamas, with a few items of dirty clothing thrown over them! They didn't even have coats. The insurance company is going to clean all their furniture and clothing, and may have to replace some of the carpet and other items. Meanwhile, my sister had to run WalMart to get them some basic things to wear.
My sister and her husband own a couple of condos and rent them out. One of them is currently vacant, so they plan to rent some furniture and stay in their own condo until the damage to their home is repaired.
Last year, my husband and I were out of our home for 4 months because of broken pipes. This year, it looks like my sister, her husband, and my Dad will be out of their home for a few months, getting the smoke damage repaired. Our family is having bad luck with our homes, lately!
31 people like this
32 responses
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@amadeo - Yes, it was pretty scary! My sister said she was in shock, and she was frightned running through the house in the dark, with it full of smoke. At the time, she didn't know where the smoke was coming from, so it was especially scary. Since it was the furnace burning, it was blowing smoke everywhere. I'm so glad it didn't kill our 91 year old father, who lives with them.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (134460)
• Roseburg, Oregon
16 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane Are they back in their house now.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@jstory07 - No, they think it will be a couple of months before they are back. The furnace has to be replaced (and it is very cold in Missouri where they live.) Then, the carpet in the bedrooms will have to be replaced or cleaned. Some walls will have to be repainted because of the smoke. All the furniture is being removed and cleaned. All their clothing is being removed and cleaned. It will take time to do all these things. It will be very disruptive for them!
3 people like this
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
16 Feb 20
Wow, so sorry to hear that. Thankful that no one got hurt, but it's still a hard thing to go through.
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
When I talked to my sister, I think she was still a little bit in shock. It was hard to have a conversation with her, because the insurance company and other people kept calling in. I'm sure things will settle down in a few days and she can finally start dealing with the damage.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
15 Feb 20
Oh wow, I am glad everyone is OK. Hope they can get back in their home soon.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@crossbones27 - They were told it would take a couple of months to get everything cleaned and restored, after all the smoke damage. I hope they can get the smell of smoke out of things like their mattresses, sofa, etc. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
1 person likes this
@Hate2Iron (15730)
• Canada
16 Feb 20
And it always seems to happen at night. I'm glad that everyone got out safely!
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
You are so right! These things always seem to happen at night. It seems strange, but that's the way it is.
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
16 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane , I am happy for your family,
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Feb 20
@marlina - Thanks, Marlina. Things could have been much, much worse. I am relieved everyone survived!
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
17 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane , I am happy for all the members of your family.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Feb 20
@just4him - Yes, thank goodness they have good insurance. Of course, they may have problems in the future. Right now, the repairs are just getting started.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@just4him - Yes, thank goodness they had good insurance. I think they have even been given a small allowance to buy some clothes so they can get by until their normal clothes have been cleaned and returned to them. What a lot of trouble, though!
2 people like this
@just4him (306196)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
17 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane That's good they can get new clothes until everything is cleaned. It's good they have good insurance that will assist them that way.
1 person likes this
And I am so sorry they are going thru that, but at least they are safe and have a place to go.
@dfollin (24172)
• United States
20 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane Yeah I am sure it was crazy! Thank God they are good.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@dfollin - Yes, I am so glad they are safe and have a place to stay. It was a crazy night for them, but they will be OK.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@dodo19 - You are so right. We are very, very fortunate that no one was hurt. Since our Dad is 91, inhaling the smoke could have had serious consequences for him. He seems to be OK, though.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane Oh they are so lucky! We have a friend whose house burnt out here just before Christmas - they literally lost everything. Another friend had a very small fire a couple years ago - not much fire and water damage, but smoke permeated everything like you said. We went to their house when all the clothes and linens were returned cleaned - all individually wrapped and in boxes!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@much2say - Yes, the fire itself was confined to the basement, so they did not have much fire damage. They also didn't have water damage. The firemen were able to put it out with fire extinguishers. However, smoke permeated everything, so all their furniture and anything made of fabric will have to be cleaned or replaced.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Feb 20
@much2say - Oh, I'm so sorry that your friends went through fires. I cannot imagine losing everything. That would be devastating! I know my sister will be happy when her clothes and linens are all returned. Things will start to feel normal, again.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95165)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Feb 20
Glad everyone got out and they have a place to go.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
Yes, I am happy that she found a place to stay. It was cold and they were all barefoot, but I think she has picked up some shoes for them now. What a crazy thing to happen!
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74563)
• East Tawas, Michigan
16 Feb 20
Oh thank God! Your sister didn't lose her home, their belongings, the dog, or worse yet their lives!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@kobesbuddy - Yes, we were so lucky that everyone is alive, and there is only smoke damage. Yes, my sister said she was in shock, and she was scared running through the house in the dark, with it full of smoke. At the time, she didn't know where the smoke was coming from, so it was especially scary. Since it was the furnace burning, it was blowing smoke everywhere. I'm so glad it didn't kill our 91 year old father, who lives with them.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74563)
• East Tawas, Michigan
17 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane And most times, the smoke will kill people first, before the fire burns a home.
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (74563)
• East Tawas, Michigan
17 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane What a blessing, lives weren't lost in this blaze! The worst damages being in the basement, thank God it wasn't their personal belongings and furniture:(
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@theme55 - Yes, we were very fortunate that no one was hurt in the fire. I was especially worried about our 91 year old fire. He didn't even hear the smoke detector go off!
1 person likes this
@resukill22 (25052)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
16 Feb 20
Sad to hear that, i really feel her
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@resukill22 - Thank you. My sister was scared, but it is OK now.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Feb 20
@resukill22 - yes, I am relieved that everyone is OK.
1 person likes this
@resukill22 (25052)
• Las Pinas City, Philippines
17 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane good that she's okay now
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@CarolDM - They bought the house 11 years ago. It was in terrible shape and they got a good deal on it. Then, they restored and replaced almost everything. It is a shame this had to happen, because the house is lovely inside.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@CarolDM - Yes, I felt very sorry for my sister, but I am relieved they are all OK.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
16 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane That is a shame.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
16 Feb 20
i hope no more incidents for the rest of the year.
i'm glad they didn't get sick from the cold.
did they ever find out what caused it?
what is smoke damage?
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
16 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane thanks for explaining! that's why insurance is important.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@hereandthere - No one got sick from the cold, at least not yet. I think my 91 year old Dad will be OK. They still do not know why the furnace caught fire. Maybe there was an electrical problem. Smoke damage is when the house fills with smoke and soot from a fire and makes everything smell bad and stains things brown, so it looks dirty. The awful smell can be hard to get out of a house. Everything has to be cleaned, painted or replaced.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Feb 20
@hereandthere - Yes, it is very important to have insurance.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@jstory07 - The insurance company estimated it will take them a couple of months to do all the necessary replacements, including the furnace, replace carpet in the areas where it was damaged, paint some of the walls, and clean the furniture and their clothes. It could be longer. I'm glad they were safe, though.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
17 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane What a scary moment, they could have all been intoxicated. I am glad she heard the alarm.
You know, you have an additional excuse for the sister of your husband, you need the guest bedroom just in case you have to host your father for some days.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@LadyDuck - The insurance company estimated it will take them a couple of months to do all the necessary replacements, including the furnace, replace carpet in the areas where it was damaged, paint some of the walls, and clean the furniture and their clothes. It could take longer. I'm glad they were safe, though. Since the smoke was coming from the furnace, it was blowing everywhere. My sister was scared, and didn't know where the smoke was coming from. I'm glad our 91 year old dad is OK.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Feb 20
@LadyDuck - Ha ha! Thanks for the help in thinking of reasons why my sister-in-law cannot stay with us! That is a very good one. 
I'm so relieved my family got out safely. I know my sister was scared when everything was going on and she was running through the house in the dark. I'm glad she woke up in time to save everyone. Neither her husband or my Dad woke up until she woke them.
I'm so relieved my family got out safely. I know my sister was scared when everything was going on and she was running through the house in the dark. I'm glad she woke up in time to save everyone. Neither her husband or my Dad woke up until she woke them.1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48954)
• United States
19 Dec 20
I hope that the repairs went smoothly.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48954)
• United States
19 Dec 20
@DeborahDiane that’s a blessing.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Dec 20
@Tampa_girl7 - Yes, they are much more comfortable at home, and my Dad, who lives with them, is definitely more comfortable. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Marie!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Dec 20
@Tamp_girl7 - It took several months, and part of the time they stayed in the basement of a friend's house, but they are finally back home and everything has been repaired. I was relieved they all got out safely, and that they got back into the house before the pandemic started!
1 person likes this
@sallypup (57869)
• Centralia, Washington
17 Feb 20
@DeborahDiane What a horrible nightmare for your sister. Your Father is vulnerable for sure. I'm glad it all turned out well.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
17 Feb 20
@sallypup - Yes, I am relieved everyone is OK. I hope that my Dad does OK with all the changes. It was really a nightmare for my sister.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40055)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Feb 20
@sallypup - Yes, my sister said she was in shock, and she was scared running through the house in the dark, with it full of smoke. At the time, she didn't know where the smoke was coming from, so it was especially scary. Since it was the furnace burning, it was blowing smoke everywhere. I'm so glad it didn't kill our 91 year old father, who lives with them.
1 person likes this
